Abstract

Human resources has traditionally been perceived as a cops and clerks function that provides transactional services to the rest of the organization. Nevertheless, HR is on the cusp of a functional paradigm shift between two roles: strategic versus administrative. However, research tends to indicate that the industry has only inconsistently been able to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Consequently, HR needs to shed its identity as purely administrative experts and work towards earning the title of strategic business partner. The HR transformation consists of restructuring HR with a focus on defining disparate roles and accountabilities, operating like a business built around a strategic measurement strategy, and enhancing organizational effectiveness through the use of business and strategic partners.